Israeli political scientist Avigdor Eskin told "Lurer" that US-mediated agreement on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Israel was a historic achievement in Arab-Israeli relations.
The UAE is the third Arab country to de jure recognize Israel's independence and start cooperation.
Question. Israel and the UAE have agreed to establish diplomatic relations. How did Israel succeed?
- It was a historic step. It benefits both countries. It is no secret that Israel has sold weapons not only to the UAE, but also to Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region. Many people know that there are high tech deals worth billions. However, the main thing here is the realty, that this agreement has nothing to do with the problems of the Palestinians.
There have been peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan, for which Israel has even made some concessions. In this case, Israel has not made any concessions.
This shows that Israel has become stronger in the last half century, in addition, many Arab countries are in conflict with Turkey.
These Arab countries are no longer of much interest in terms of oil for the United States, as America already exports oil itself. Consequently, the Arab world and Turkey are less important for US.
Israel is close. We can not escape the realities of the Middle East. Our neighbors are not Swedes, Norwegians, but Arab Muslims. No conflict in the Middle East can be linked to Israel, neither the Syrian conflict nor the Libyan conflict. None of this has anything to do with Israel.
Question. Iran has criticized the UAE's decision to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. Doesn't that hinder Israel's regional relations?
- Iran is critical of any good relations with Israel. But that is not right. The relations between the UAE and Israel have nothing to do with Iran, moreover, they are not against Iran. It is clear to everyone that the Palestinian issue is not discussed in our foreign relations today. The UAE is the first swallow in this case, other Arab countries will follow that. I repeat, they have nothing to do with any country, including Iran and the Palestinian issue.
Question . Turkey has also made critical, even threatening, statements on this issue. Why?
- I would say it was a special poisonous attitude by Turkey. It should be understood that Turkey is not an ordinary neighbor for Arab countries today. Turkey's role in the Middle East is to create outbreaks of radical Islam.
Turkey supports the destructive forces, tries to enter where possible to create chaos. Turkey is a de facto threat to the Arab world. As for the problems of the Mediterranean, here Israel supports Greece in protecting its waters.
Turkey's threats are also a threat to Israel. Israel has never done so, but today Turkish threats also jeopardize Israel's plans to supply gas to Europe. Naturally, taking into account all these issues, Israel must establish relations with both the Arab world and the Mediterranean countries.
Nairi Hokhikyan talked to Avigdor Eskin.
